yeah, i'm back in town.

i wanna see [ name ], okay?

well, that's not fair, is it?!

oh my god, you look.. like crap.

this long, no see? you don't get to know.

you have no idea what that costs me.

i wasn't talking about my cut, i was talking about my pride.

you've been gone for almost a year, [ name ]. i'm not judging, just saying.

i'm not judging, just saying.

oh, you robbed her body.

you can do better.

what the hell is wrong with you?

look at me, you understand? look at me!

use it, or hang it up, okay?

do not snap towels at me, [ name ], i had a very traumatic childhood.

get in the car, damn it! we're late!

suddenly you don't give a damn, i get pissed.

now, you had better be ready. are you ready?

you're sure as hell overdressed.

what, were you out all night or something?

i know this shit is as hard as it gets, but you gotta stop making it worse.

"fashionably late", you called it?

stick to your statement and you'll be fine.

i panicked, what do you want me to say?

where's your wit gone?

you haven't called me dipshit all day.

i know this thing's got you all twisted up, but you've got to forgive yourself.

[ name ], i know you're in there! open the door now!

it's not coming back to you?

i'm not sure i should say anything at all.

i don't want to talk about [ name ].

you need to talk to me about that moment.

feels like she's lying about something.

deep down, we all hope we're special.

the last thing i am is special.

oh. you're disappearing again?

weren't you coming back this weekend?

i got sick to my stomach, i basically puked on them.

what did you do to your hair? ... it's longer.

why are you such a dick?

first, though, you need a shower. and a xanax.

just keep away from me!

your partner. he was following you.

[ name ], where have you been?

there's blood everywhere!

holy shit, it's true ... that someone is killing us.

you need to get rid of the body.

uh ... how about you come help me?

for starters, you're a drug dealer.

of course not, you think we'd let that happen?

i don't ... nothing, i don't want to talk about it.

that's my one bit of good news.

is that so much to ask?

bastard must've followed me and nicked it.

okay, let's not go off ... [ name ], [ name ] !

how long can you keep gaming the cops?

what the hell are you doing?

i'm worried you're losing the plot again.

sorry, i've got a lot of work to do.

you're not ready for this, you need to take more time.

is that a diagnosis? cause i've got plenty of professional help for that.

i can't keep waking up at night, checking your breathing.

i knew it was too good to be true.

why would you help with such a stupid plan?

that was when i drew my weapon.

i'm not dirty, i just freaked out.

i'm not going to play [ name ] in the middle.

i'd do it all again, [ name ].

cut the shit, [ name ], and tell me where it came from.

yeah, i was gonna leave town, but i turned around.

are you wearing a wire?

if there's another version of this story ...

there's only one story, [ name ].

run me through it again. so i know you won't crack under questioning.

if they dig, they'll find the pills.

i wouldn't do that, [ name ].

i can't help myself.

— then why would you even ask?

because ... i told you to.

i'm gonna hang onto that money until you're cleared.

why would you go in my room?

the sink is broken, what the hell is wrong with you?

are you out of your mind?

idiot. do you even know who you're talking to?

i don't care who you are.

please just tell me ... who are we to each other?

are you kidding me? i'm not doing that.

you need to get out of here.

let go, don't touch me.

hide your ugly face on the way out.

i'm making progress, full progress.

what i'm trying to do is move on.

that's not gonna work for me.

does that sound stoned to you?

you have constantly tested me.

since you apparently already know where i live, come by after 9.

knock quietly.

come on, [ name ], give me a little love here.

why do you have to be such a hardass?

you know i never would've got in if you said we're going to the suburbia.

don't stop, someone might speak to us.

my skin breaks out every time we come downtown.

oh my god, who's in there?

[ name ], you always do this to me!

i don't do "backup", i don't even know what "backup" is!

close it, lock it.

you point a gun at me again, i'll kick the living shit out of you.

what the hell were you doing here?

seriously, it's life or death.

you can't just ignore it!

-> ACTIONS :

sender is aggressively banging on receiver's front door, demanding entry.

sender begs receiver for their help in faking sender's death.

sender seduces receiver in order to distract them.

sender has discovered receiver's secret life, and confronts them.

receiver catches sender as they're trying to skip town.

sender tries to seduce receiver in order to make them stop investigating.

sender arrives to receiver's place drunk and injured.

sender calls receiver for help getting the blood out of their car.

sender starts a physical fight with receiver in a sensitive environment.

receiver must cautiously evade sender, who thinks they're dead.

receiver gets a cryptic text from sender asking to meet in person.

sender and receiver return to their hotel room only to find it trashed.

sender is caught following receiver, and receiver confronts them.

sender stands between receiver's loaded gun and a third party.

sender accompanies receiver to a doctor's appointment.

sender leverages receiver's addiction/s against them.

sender witnesses something traumatic, immediately going to receiver.

sender holds a fake funeral for receiver, which the latter watches at a distance.

sender and receiver meet in a diner for a sensitive discussion.

-> THE DRUNK ONE.

[ TXT ] : where r uuuu

[ TXT ] : come get me plz plz plz

[ TXT ] : i dont know where i am

[ TXT ] : the ceiling is so pretty tonigjt

[ TXT ] : wait unblocked i need 2 say smth

[ TXT ] : tell me something u never told anyone

[ TXT ] : is it bad i threw up in a bush

[ TXT ] : keep me company.. cant sleep

[ TXT ] : wish u were here ;;;))))

[ TXT ] : answer me coward

[ TXT ] : u left without saying bye. that was rude

[ TXT ] : tell me im okay

[ TXT ] : i'm gonna throw up brb

[ TXT ] : alcohol is a scam but a good scam

[ TXT ] : everything is loud and soft at the same time

[ TXT ] : do fish know theyre wet

[ TXT ] : u probably hate me lol

[ TXT ] : can u bring me mcdonalds

[ TXT ] : u ever think about how weird existing is

[ TXT ] : uber so expensuve rn :(

[ TXT ] : come save me hero

[ TXT ] : everyone else is so boring

[ TXT ] : ur face. god. ur FACE

[ TXT ] : ur too good for me anyway

[ TXT ] : oh ur answering now yay!!!

[ TXT ] : my hand is so far away rn

[ TXT ] : ur name is so pretty

[ TXT ] : u dont even care do u

[ TXT ] : ok i'm gonnna pass out now

[ TXT ] : someone bought me a drink

[ TXT ] : i love u so muchhhhh (u dont have to say it back)

[ TXT ] : keys inside. stuck outside. help

[ TXT ] : i miss u can u come over

[ TXT ] : what if we ARE the aliens

[ TXT ] : come over. wear the shirt

[ TXT ] : bed too big. need fill it

[ TXT ] : why didnt it work between us

[ TXT ] : u get me. like actually get me.

[ TXT ] : listening to our song n cryin a lil bit

[ TXT ] : just wanted to say ur amazign ok

[ TXT ] : i hate ur fuckign face soooo much

[ TXT ] : sorry if im annoying u

[ TXT ] : ok i forgot what i was sayign

[ TXT ] : i think i ruined everythign

[ TXT ] : thinking abt u. thinking abt ur hands

[ TXT ] : FUCK U

[ TXT ] : that's it. that's the text.

-> THE SOBER ONE.

[ TXT ] : lol where are you

[ TXT ] : you're gonna regret this tomorrow.

[ TXT ] : send me your location

[ TXT ] : i'm not playing these games.

[ TXT ] : are you safe??

[ TXT ] : drink water. actual water.

[ TXT ] : let me call you.

[ TXT ] : i'm not playing guessing games

[ TXT ] : stay PUT.

[ TXT ] : send me a selfie so i know you're alive

[ TXT ] : you're adorable when you're like this

[ TXT ] : you're annoying when you're like this.

[ TXT ] : i'm not bringing you tacos at 2am

[ TXT ] : screenshotting this for when you deny it happened

[ TXT ] : you're spiraling. drink water.

[ TXT ] : DON'T text your ex!!

[ TXT ] : next time i'm taking your phone

[ TXT ] : look at who you're texting right now.

[ TXT ] : i'll still be here tomorrow, i'm not going anywhere.

[ TXT ] : get your mind out of the gutter

[ TXT ] : i'll tell you tomorrow

[ TXT ] : nevermind i don't wanna know

[ TXT ] : text me when you wake up

[ TXT ] : you're a mess. my mess tho

[ TXT ] : go home!!!

[ TXT ] : you're lucky i love you

[ TXT ] : you still have your wallet? check your pockets

[ TXT ] : too late isn't it

[ TXT ] : where did your other shoe go

[ TXT ] : are you writing a novel?

[ TXT ] : go to bed before you confess something

[ TXT ] : that's either sad or brave

[ TXT ] : you owe me breakfast and an explanation

" . . . " it's not like he doesn't believe her ━ why would he have doubts, when ruby is so amazing? she's strong, empathetic, kind, & she does everything she can for other people. it's true that, in yuki maeda's eyes, she is a hero. she wouldn't let him down, or anyone down, really. but there's still worry that furrows between his brow. pale brown meets fantastic silver, & yuki's lips are pressed tightly together ━ like there's something he wants to say, but can't. whatever it is gets stuck in his throat, struggles to come up.

[you still get to be the hero, if you want to be.] that follow up never comes, & his words are left hanging in the air, exactly as he'd said them.

" i trust you. " it's said with eagerness, as if he's trying to clear up some misunderstanding ━ but there was no misunderstanding. at least, not one that didn't take place solely in his head. on the surface, there's nothing to clear up; on the inside, yuki feels like there's a dozen different things he could say to change something ━ to alter course before something goes horribly wrong. (he wonders, if he hopes for it enough, it'll go the way he wants it to ━ but then that begs the question: what does he want?)

it's an easier question to ask than it is to answer.

don't trust me. please, don't. you're just going to end up dead like everyone else. ❝ it's normal to be let down every once in a while though, right? sayin' nothing i could do will let you down is kiiind of a stretch, isn't it? a lil' unrealistic? ❞ she's hurt so many people. so many lives ruined because of things she's done, or that she's failed to do. why would he be any different? why wouldn't she ruin him, too? ❝ not, um. not that i want to let you down, it's just— well, never mind that! you're right. i'll just... i'll keep doing what i'm doing. ❞ as if that's worked so far. as if doing what she's doing is helping anyone other than herself. ❝ . . . ❞ she has to ask. for her own sake. for the way her mind races and threatens to make her burst. she slumps a bit, shoves hands into pockets and kicks at the ground with the dirty toe of her boot.

part 2 / ? .

❝ i’m also worried about me, but i somehow seem to be worried about you more. ❞ ❝ you put the stars to shame. let’s sit here a little while - i want to drink you in. ❞ ❝ i’d tell you not to get in trouble, but i suspect it will find you whether you like it or not. ❞ ❝ well, this seems as good a time as any for me to stop babbling on. ❞ ❝ i just….need some air…clear my head. ❞ ❝ it’s been a long time since i shed a tear. i don’t even know how long. ❞ ❝ i had a feeling you’d show up. it’s sort of our thing. like it’s fate or something. ❞ ❝ i do appreciate your enthusiasm, but let's try to restrain ourselves a little. ❞ ❝ if that was an attempt at flirting, i should let you know i prefer the strong, silent type. ❞ ❝ no matter how far you come, you’re still on the road to ruin. ❞ ❝ i thought you a hunter. wrong. you’re prey - small. snivelling. pathetic. ❞ ❝ and what am i owed? what about the injustices i’ve suffered - am i not entitled to anything? ❞ ❝ i can’t help but feel the strangest twinge of disgust as i look upon you. ❞ ❝ i trust that you will continue to remember who is really on your side. ❞ ❝ better a short life built on truth than immortality woven of lies. ❞ ❝ i won’t make excuses. i can’t make amends. but i want to help, if you’ll let me. ❞ ❝ gods, it’s horrifying…and a touch fascinating. ❞ ❝ there are many names for you --- and all of them inspire dread. ❞ ❝ destiny is at your door; won’t you at least twitch the curtain? ❞ ❝ the gravest crimes committed in this world are committed for love. a hunger crueller than bloodlust. ❞ ❝ you’ve got a backbone, and the makings of a leader. ❞ ❝ revenge sounds so sweet until you’ve taken it. then all you have is…no one left to blame. ❞ ❝ some mistakes can’t be resolved with an apology. some mistakes, you have to carry with you, forever. ❞ ❝ you’re plotting something, aren’t you? come on then - out with it. ❞ ❝ this is not good, if i may state the obvious. ❞ ❝ think of all we’ve been through just to get to this moment. that wasn’t luck. that was us. ❞ ❝ feel like i should laugh but i’m just too godsdamned tired. ❞ ❝ there is something i lost…no, had taken from me. i want it all back. ❞ ❝ careful - you’re in very real danger of hurting my feelings. ❞ ❝ one thing i’ve learned - real saviours never label themselves as such. ❞ ❝ less thinking of bad thoughts, and more breaking of bad bones. ❞ ❝ i rather like interfering. it’s kind of my thing. ❞ ❝ evil is evil, even if it once was innocent. ❞ ❝ you know, i've been catching myself smiling more lately. i think that's your fault.. ❞ ❝ oh, i’m no innocent. but evil? you tell me. ❞ ❝ i still want to believe you’re better than that. but even i am having my doubts. ❞ ❝ i can’t afford to lose my nerve. safer to just not think, and keep forging ahead. ❞ ❝ when all this is over, will you stay with me? for good? ❞ ❝ this is not good, if i may state the obvious. ❞ ❝ is there a reason you're always such an utter drip? do you have some sort of condition? honestly, it's like you hate good news. ❞ ❝ all of nature’s beauty pales in comparison to you. ❞ ❝ i can’t save you from yourself. it hurts terribly, but i can’t. ❞ ❝ if i seem suddenly flush with hope and soft feeling, you have only yourself to blame. ❞ ❝ is there good and evil within us all? ❞

if you love me, you don’t love me in a way i understand.

there are so many things i’m not allowed to tell you.

you say ‘i’ll give you anything,’ but you never come through.

please, for just one night, will you lie down next to me?

you wanted happiness. i can’t blame you for that.

i owe you, i owe you everything.

tell me you love this, tell me you’re not miserable.

you didn’t show up. i kept waiting.

why take more than we need? because we can.

i want to explain myself to myself in an understandable way.

people like to think war means something.

you are here, you are here, you’re still right here.

sorry about how i ruined everything by saying it out loud.

will you defend yourself?

let’s not talk about it, let’s just not talk.

how much can you change and get away with it, before you turn into someone else, before it’s some kind of murder?

i ran and i knew you wouldn’t catch me.

when you have nothing to say, set something on fire.

you still get to be the hero.

tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us.

i’m bleeding, i’m not just making conversation.

eventually something you love is going to be taken away. 

you want a better story. who wouldn’t?

i hope it’s love. i’m trying really hard to make it love.

we are not dirty.

i will come back from the dead for you.

you are a fever i’m learning to live with.

do you want to go home now?

there’s nowhere to go.

i’d rather quit. i’d rather be sad.

unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of time.

you take the things you love and tear them apart.

there is no way to make this story interesting.

i don’t think i can take this much longer.

do you love yourself? 

sorry about the blood in your mouth. i wish it was mine.

even when i look away i am still looking.

i think i need to do this alone.

what more do you want?

you saved my life.

someone has to leave first.

i swear, i end up feeling empty, like you’ve taken something out of me.

will you love me even more when i’m dead?

❝ since when did i even care what anybody thinks of me? ❞ ❝ a few true friends are better than a thousand friendly-feigning faces. ❞ ❝ curse these old wounds of mine…i once was stronger than this. ❞ ❝ look at yourself, you are too calm. suppressing your anger for the illusion of control. ❞ ❝ in spite of everything, i don’t hate you. not entirely. ❞ ❝ forgiveness is like a special healing ointment, to be applied sparingly. ❞ ❝ better to be modest than a braggart, i suppose. but you might aspire to be somewhere in between. ❞ ❝ there is a stir of something different in the air tonight…you feel it too, yes? ❞ ❝ when tears well up, let them spill forth; they’re not so precious that they need to be contained. ❞ ❝ i have outsmarted you…and i shall overpower you as well. ❞ ❝ my pain i can handle fine, who cares? yours, i don’t think i could live with. ❞ ❝ you really do care about me, huh. for the longest time i just wouldn’t let myself believe it. ❞ ❝ tell me you killed the bastard? drove your staff into his wretched skull, slid a dagger in his gut? ❞ ❝ you’ve a defiant streak in you. one you’d be wise to hold in check. ❞ ❝ you gods never forgive; why then should i? ❞ ❝ you cannot break me; that i know. ❞ ❝ if suffering brings about a better tomorrow, so be it. ❞ ❝ loyalty is either earned or bought, and it makes little difference either way. ❞ ❝ we are most powerful when we remain obscure; when we are underestimated. ❞ ❝ as you begin your next attempt at the seemingly impossible, know that i shall be with you to the bitter end. ❞ ❝ good thing i can drown my sorrows here, and guess what? so can you! ❞ ❝ if my safety is now your concern…you can begin by showing yourself out. with all due respect. ❞ ❝ if you undermine my authority, you shall suffer the consequences. simple. ❞ ❝ let’s not talk about the past, all right? i much prefer the present. ❞ ❝ even in a place of sorrow such as this, there’s beauty…gentleness. ❞ ❝ power always contains the secrets of its own undoing. ❞ ❝ for you? i shall not hesitate to pierce the heavens and the earth alike. ❞ ❝ i feel sorry for you. really do. we always want what we can never have. ❞ ❝ that was one of the worst sentences i think i’ve ever heard. ❞ ❝ gods do not go quietly, and history repeats. ❞ ❝ you got into my head. i want you out. ❞ ❝ sounds like you’ve had quite an eventful night. ❞ ❝ i don’t know, this sounds a little treasonous. ❞ ❝ we get to know each other, you’ll live to regret it. happens all the time. ❞ ❝ what are you fighting for? what do you hope to prove? ❞ ❝ my pain i can handle fine, who cares? yours, i don’t think i could live with. ❞ ❝ if there is some bad blood between us, i would like to know the cause. ❞ ❝ in this world, you can’t rely on anybody but yourself. ❞ ❝ spilled half my blood back there… ❞ ❝ quickly now, tell me but this: have you been…are you well? ❞ ❝ why do the gods do anything at all? simply because they can. ❞ ❝ spare not a single wretch that dares to stand against you. ❞ ❝ look at you, it’s like, just…wow. don’t even have the words. ❞ ❝ love and hate! the most powerful emotions, and the underlying causes of war. ❞ ❝ i am no stranger to the punishment of gods. ❞ ❝ you know who i am, and you know why i’m here. ❞ ❝ get up. you get off that stolen throne. ❞ ❝ must we always have to take a blasted side in everything? ❞ ❝ stand tall and show no weakness. ❞ ❝ the bigger they are…the harder they fall. ❞ ❝ come on, we all have fantasies. ❞ ❝ if i can’t see into the shadows, i’ll cut through. ❞ ❝ come to think of it, i’ve never seen you angry. ❞ ❝ things were quite recently much worse, and we’ve weathered worse storms. ❞ ❝ it’s commonplace to fear what we don’t understand. ❞ ❝ truths are only truths if they’re believed. ❞ ❝ oh, i don’t get offended…i get even. ❞ ❝ the more we wander, the wiser we get, hey? ❞ ❝ if you insist on siding against me, then i insist on making you regret it. ❞ ❝ appreciate the silence. we will have company any moment now. ❞ ❝ for all the dread and despair everywhere i turn, you’ve come to be a welcome sight. ❞